PODCAST · science
The European Skeptics Podcast - The ESP
by TheESP.eu
The European Skeptics Podcast is an independent project run buy individuals from across Europe, to provide a forum for European skeptical activism. Hosts: András Pintér and Pontus Böckman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
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TheESP – Ep. #551 – (Meno)pause Those Supplements!
Pontus report back from the bookfair and András has apparently also been struck by the numbers curse. In TWISH we look back at the first TAM London conference in 2009 and find that it can been seen as a milestone for European Skepticism. Then we take a look at the news: INTERNATIONAL: Rare...
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TheESP – Ep. #550 – No voting rights for cattle
We start by Pontus correcting himself on numbers he uttered, then we contemplate whether the recent Russian election results hold water. In TWISH we celebrate the real giant of science Michael Faraday commemorating his brilliant method to prove the ideomotor phenomenon. Then we turn to the news:...
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TheESP – Ep. #549 – It's 'Else-uh-fier'!
For over a decade we have mispronounced a certain publisher’s name (duh!) but it’s never too late to learn… The Swedish election results are more or less in, and hopefully it’s a sign of reason that the party spreading the most disinformation lost almost 15% of their seats in parliament. In TWISH...
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TheESP – Ep. #548 – Real Democracy Requires Informed Voters
Hurry up to get the early bird price for ESC Liverpool! You have until 14 September! Isar Aerospace achieves first launch to orbit from continental Europe and in TWISH we celebrate the 60th anniversary of Star Trek, a show that brought humanism into science fiction. Then, it’s time for the news:...
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TheESP – Ep. #547 – Shoot for the stars!
Nominate candidates both Das Goldene Brett and the Ockham Award (including the Rusty Razor!), links are in the show notes. In TWISH we hear about that Russian space visionary Konstantin Tsiolkovsky who over a 100 years ago established still valid theories about space rockets and more, needed for...
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TheESP – Ep. #546 – ADHD vs. Social Construct
With András back in the saddle, we advice against climate doom and also encourage listeners to nominate for the Ockhams Awards. In TWISH we go back almost 2500 years for an example of how superstition can ruin your quite innocent Sicilian expedition, and then we head for the news: SWEDEN…
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TheESP – Ep. #545 – Make people think!
ESC Liverpool speakers announced, Wasp-watch big reveal and listener feedback about Triodos Bank. The bulk of the episode is a trip down memory lane with a rebroadcast of our interview with James the Amazing Randi from ten years ago. It’s really worth a listen! The Really Wrong Award goes to...
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TheESP – Ep. #544 – Plant Based Nano Microneedle Weight Loss Patch
This week we have a special solar eclipse report (video available!) and two tips of UK free tourist tours relevant for skeptics. In TWISH we hear about Wilhelm Wundt, the founder of experimental psychology. Then, it’s time for the news: EUROPE: Warmest summer ever in Western Europe, warmest…
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TheESP – Ep. #543 – Never Trust a Man with Repetitive Names
Super packed episode this week, with four of Annika’s Skepticon interviews and Brian Eggo sitting in for András. We talk about the upcoming SkeptiCamp in Liverpool, the on-going Edinburgh Fringe and its skeptical series of events, and next week’s solar eclipse in Europe. After interviews with…
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TheESP – Ep. #542 – Pyrocumulonimbus
This week we mention World Hepatitis Day (28 July) and new study that (again) finds no relationship between mobile cellphones and cancer. We also have two short interviews by Annika(!) from Skepticon Australia, with Richard Saunders and George Hrab! In TWISH we hear about John Tyndall, Irish...
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TheESP – Ep. #541 – Forget the Vikings?
We start with some listener feedback from Poland and a short follow-up regarding last week’s report on pet whisperers. In TWISH we hear about Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel, a German astronomer, physicist and mathematician whose way of thinking still influences both scientific rigor and skepticism…
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TheESP – Ep. #540 – It’s a Dog’s Life
The heatwave continues and analysis finds that most news reporting fails to mention climate change. In TWISH we hear about the founding of Accademia del Cimento, in many ways the start of scientific experimentation during the enlightenment. Then we go into the news: UK / RUSSIA / US: Musk family...
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TheESP – Ep. #539 – Quackery Round-Up
We received some listener feedback regarding Ricky Gervais, and the Hungarian state media apologizes for the lies during Orbán(!). In TWISH we hear about Robert Chambers, the anonymous publisher who helped pave the way for Darwin. Then, it’s time for the news: SWEDEN / NORWAY: Resurgence of JW in...
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TheESP – Ep. #538 – Happily Biased Towards Science!
Science shows that the heatwave in Europe was made much worse by climate crisis, and in TWISH we hear about an old but classic ‘UFO encounter’ in France. Naturally, we also take a look at the news: SWEDEN / INTERNATIONAL: Pontus Pokes the Politicians: Psychologist argues that politicians focus…
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TheESP – Ep. #537 – The Not-So-Great Replacement Theory
The applications to talk at SkeptiCamp in October are now open, don’t be shy! In TWISH we hear about how the jesuit priest Angelo Secchi unwittingly became the origin of tales about green men on Mars. Then, it’s time for the news: EUROPE / WORLD: European heatwave / El Niño officially under way...
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TheESP – Ep. #536 – Back to the Stone Age
Some people still ignore the climate crises while there have been 200,000 preventable deaths due to heat only in Europe in the last four years. In TWISH we hear about the pope tried to strike back against Martin Luther with a papal bull (isn’t it all bull?) this week in 1520. Then, we turn to the...
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TheESP – Ep. #535 – Belfast Burning
Climate crisis reaches all the way up to Scandinavia and in TWISH we hear about Roger Bacon, an early advocate for investigative science. Then we have the news: SCOTLAND / INTERNATIONAL: Research integrity and transparency in SCAM journals ENGLAND: Church of England spends a fortune on evangelism...
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TheESP – Ep. #534 – Fight for Science!
These days even cognitive biases are automated. In TWISH we hear about the skeptical TV-series X-Aknák (X-Mines) that ran on Hungarian TV in the early 2000s. Then, it’s time for the news: UK / INTERNATIONAL: Canadian man admits sending ‘suicide packets’ to hundreds of people in the UK and around...
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TheESP – Ep. #533 – Toxic Frogs
Not even June and people are already dying from heatwave in Europe. Skepkon 2026 in Regensburg looks to have been a hit and speaking of conferences – don’t forget to plan your trip to ESC Liverpool in October! In TWISH we hear about the man behind the Watchmaker analogy and then it’s time for the...
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TheESP – Ep. #532 – Of Scurvy and Science
With the return of a super-El Niño it may be a hot year and in TWISH we hear about James Lind‘s famous scurvy experiment from 1747. Then we have the news: INTERNATIONAL: Antidepressants in pregnancy do not raise children’s risk of autism or ADHD BELGIUM / DENMARK: Attempted control and...
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TheESP – Ep. #531 – It's all AI
The new Hungarian government are making all the right noises and we hope they will live up to it. Don’t forget to get your ESC Liverpool tickets, and in TWISH we here about Magnus Hirschfeld, a pioneer in fighting for what we today call LGBTQ rights. Then, we head for the news: NORWAY / EU…
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TheESP – Ep. #530 – Don't Use Pitchforks!
ESC Liverpool 2026 tickets are now available! Get yours now! Chris French wrote a eulogy for Nick Pope, UFO profile who passed away, and in TWISH we hear about Gustave Le Bon who identified the mass psychology of crowds over 150 years ago. Then we head for the news: UK: Humanists UK celebrates...
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TheESP – Ep. #529 – Get Your Tickets!
Next week on 6th May the tickets are released for ESC Liverpool. They may sell out fast, so be quick! In other news we note the demise of Desmond Morris and if you liked are interview with Kat Ford, a preprint of her Glastonbury article is now available online! In TWISH we learn about the…
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TheESP – Ep. #528 – Cupping Time!
Lots going on this week! It’s European Immunization Week, Pontus went to a spa and got ‘cupped’, and we have news about two skeptical events: the launch of Skeptival 2026 in Berlin and tickets for the European Skeptics Congress 2026 in Liverpool (ESC 2026) will be released on 6 May! In TWISH we...
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TheESP – Ep. #527 – Spiritual Beliefs with Dr Kat Ford
This week we have a great interview with the fabulous Dr Kat Ford! Enjoy! Segments: 0:00:34 Intro 0:00:58 Greetings 0:07:47 Interview 0:55:33 Farewell 0:57:19 Outro 0:58:41 Outtakes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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TheESP – Ep. #526 – Fat Banished!
Pontus is back and Brian steps in for András, as we discuss myths and disinformation. In TWISH we hear about three common myths regarding the sinking of Titanic, and then we get into the news: UK: Non-religion is the new normal: six in ten under-35s have no religion, new analysis finds...
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TheESP – Ep. #525 – Reality Isn’t True Either
In Pontus’ absence, András carries the torch this week and tells about Italian electoral abstentions and in TWISH we here about Robert Bunsen, who knew how to burn things with scientific rigor. Then, it’s time for the news: UK: Polls shows public wants religion out of schools AUSTRIA / GERMANY:...
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TheESP – Ep. #524 – We are Against Idiocy
Despite the bleak outlook we see in the news, science and critical thinking is still a thing. In the UK, Sense about Science is recruiting and in Toulouse, France, there is a great festival coming up in April. In TWISH we revisit the legacy of Erik Weisz, aka Harry Houdini, and then we have a…
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TheESP – Ep. #523 – Germanic New Toothpaste?
General elections in Hungary are coming up and it’s going to be nasty. We get some listener feedback and we were on an video interview for Skeptical Inquirer. TWISH looks to Tesla’s famous “free energy” patent which was filed 126 years ago, and finds that in doesn’t promise free energy at all...
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TheESP – Ep. #522 – Talking Nuclear, with Zion Lights
This week we have an interview with author and nuclear advocate Zion Lights. Enjoy! https://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/theesp-ep-522.html Segments: 0:00:33 Intro 0:00:56 Greetings 0:07:05 Interview 0:47:09 Farewell 0:51:34 Outro 0:52:57 Outtakes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
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TheESP – Ep. #521 – RFK jr. Does not Call the Shots
Even in a world on fire with yet another big war there are glimmers of light such as the upcoming Festival of Humanism in Bournemouth in June. In TWISH we hear about some of the most common myths about Michelangelo, and then we take a look at the news: EU: Vaccine update: EMA recommends approval…
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TheESP – Ep. #520 – I Swear, it’s Adrienne Hill!
In a very special skeptical Canadian extravaganza, we are joined by the fabulous Adrienne Hill as guest host for the show. A very special treat! In TWISH we look into the fourth anniversary of Putins’ invasion of Ukraine, and how disinformation has been used as weapon in the war. Then, we dig…
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TheESP – Ep. #519 – Skeptical Heresy
Just like his uncle, even the Prince of Wales (William, that is!) cannot entirely stay out of the Epstein-files, as his charity gets tangled up in it. In TWISH we take a look at famed Giordano Bruno to see if he was truly a skeptic or more of a trouble make (admittedly, you can be both). Then we...
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TheESP – Ep. #518 – Kindoki
We start by wishing for fast trains and maglev transportation in Europe – much better for the environment than air travel. Because even if we have had a rather cold January here in Europe, Copernicus tells us that we are still warming the globe in a reckless pace. In TWISH we remember István Vágó...
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TheESP – Ep. #517 – When in Doubt, Gather More Data!
This is an oddly positive episode with a lot of good news, who could foresee that? But do us a favor and help Skeptical Science with your translation skills (link in the show notes)! In TWISH we dig into the cannibalism that is Christianity with a look into the legend of St Agatha. Then, it’s…
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TheESP – Ep. #516 – We’re Shedding Plastics
Canada’s Mark Carney could possibly be a role model for our European leaders, and the Swedish Bar Association agrees with our criticism of putting children in prison. In TWISH we hear of Emanuel Swedenborg, a great polymath of the Enlightenment who somehow turned into a religious mystic. Then…
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TheESP – Ep. #515 – Exorcize Religion from Schools!
English may not be our first language but we are willing to learn! Hungarian nuts with a nationalist agenda would like you to believe in made up history, including that Jesus spoke Hungarian, and other nonsense. And they are getting a foot in at schools… In TWISH we hear about Joseph Justus...
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TheESP – Ep. #514 – A Tradition of Informed Fallibility
2025 was the third hottest year on record, but that hardly even makes the news. In TWISH we hear about the science communicator Jacob Bronowski, and then it’s time for the news: VATICAN / RUSSIA / USA: The Vatican offered Maduro safe way to Russia SWITZERLAND: Erich von Däniken dead at 90 AI:...
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TheESP – Ep. #513 – Don’t be a Besserwisser
We have to rant about Trump and Venezuela for a bit, but to take our minds off that, we turn to TWISH and hear about the discovery of the Galilean moons, found by (who could have guessed?) Galileo. Then it’s time for the news: UK: Google AI Overviews put people at risk of harm with misleading...
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TheESP – Ep. #512 – Never Lend Things to a Babylonian
Welcome to the new year! Obviously we start with some reflections on 2025 and we also give a shout-out to Haley Stevens and her article about Wikipedia in the Skeptic UK. In TWISH we learn that the practice of New Year’s resolutions is ancient although each resolution seldom lasts longer than a...
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TheESP – Ep. #511 – Compliments of the Season!
Merry Christmas everyone! This is an episode unlike any other in the ESP history, hope you will enjoy it! See you again in 2026! Segments: 0:00:27 INTRO 0:00:50 GREETINGS 0:05:11 FACT CHECKERS 0:08:39 REASON TELLS 0:12:11 FAREWELL 0:14:11 OUTRO Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
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TheESP – Ep. #510 – Wat Are They Sinking?
In this week’s TWISH we take a look at the most skeptical saint, Doubting Thomas – not that we feel that he got everything right. In the news today we take a look at the following: INTERNATIONAL / SWEDEN: Rising nicotine addiction in teens HUNGARY: GP about to leave practice due to harassment…
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TheESP – Ep. #509 – Skepticism is Hard – Even For Geniuses
Rage bait is the Oxford Word of the Year and that cannot be a a good sign of the times we live in. In TWISH we acknowledge the genius of Ada Lovelace while recognizing that she had some flaws as well, especially when it came to phrenology and mesmerism… Then we take a look at the news: EU…
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TheESP – Ep. #508 – How Many Lobsters Can You Eat?
We discuss science communication by the ECDC re vaccinations and have some listener feedback about Dr Who, before with dive into TWISH which this week is about a pioneer of modern chemistry, Martin Heinrich Klaproth. Then of course, there’s the news: INTERNATIONAL: E-trade via dropshipping – the...
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TheESP – Ep. #507 – Freebirthing 101: 'Dead is Dead'
We start by noting that COP30 was pretty disappointing although we are not too surprised. On another, more positive side, Michael Frass‘ terrible study claiming that homeopathy can help in cancer treatment finally has been retracted! Also, get your flu vaccines, everyone. In TWISH we hear how...
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TheESP – Ep. #506 – Who?
This week celebrates the launch of Dr Who way back in 1963, the longest running TV-show in history, and a special favourite for many skeptics. For the news we look into the following: INTERNATIONAL: Updated evidence for Covid-19, RSV, and influenza vaccines HUNGARY: Parliament votes to issue...
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TheESP – Ep. #505 – Tough Times for the Beeb
James Watson died, and brilliant as his contribution to science was, he also had some very problematic views on race and women. The Church of Scientology seems to be in decline even if they try their best to deny it, claiming huge (but questionable) numbers on their recent big conference. We are...
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TheESP – Ep. #504 – Democracy and Science are Inseparable
We’re back home after QED and boy was it great! Last one, we know, but next year will see the European Skeptics Congress in Liverpool and it will largely be following the template of QED. Save the dates, 16-18 October 2026! We note the lessons learned from hurricane Melissa and in TWISH we hear...
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TheESP – Ep. #503 – Live at QED 2025
Note! You can find the video of this live recording here on our Youtube channel! (special thanks to the fantastic SitPO team for the video!) We were live from QED! Best time ever! Joining us for the recording were the fabulous Claire Klingenberg, Deborah Hyde and Brian Eggo, as well as huge crowd...
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TheESP – Ep. #502 – Psychics in the Pub
Warming up for QED, we dive directly in to TWISH and talk about – QED(!) and how this weekend will be an historic event as the last one of them all. We’re going to make the most of it! But before we pack our bags, we have some news to talk about: UK: The Conversation seems to endorse spiritual...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The European Skeptics Podcast is an independent project run buy individuals from across Europe, to provide a forum for European skeptical activism. Hosts: András Pintér and Pontus Böckman
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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TheESP.eu
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How many episodes does The European Skeptics Podcast - The ESP have?
The European Skeptics Podcast - The ESP currently has 556 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The European Skeptics Podcast - The ESP about?
The European Skeptics Podcast is an independent project run buy individuals from across Europe, to provide a forum for European skeptical activism. Hosts: András Pintér and Pontus Böckman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How often does The European Skeptics Podcast - The ESP release new episodes?
The European Skeptics Podcast - The ESP releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 556 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
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The European Skeptics Podcast - The ESP is created and hosted by TheESP.eu.
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